After more than ten years in the game and 36 professional fights, it’s looking like the sun may have finally set on Jens Pulver’s career. “Lil Evil” wasn’t necessarily the guy who ever dominated his division completely. In fact, in many of his fights with big name opponents – guys like Takanori Gomi, Urijah Faber, and B.J. Penn (at least the second time) – he came out on the losing end. But fans have revered Pulver not because he won every time out, but because he always fought with fury and passion, and because there was always a chance that he might come close to decapitating someone with one well-placed left hand.

With a string of recent losses his fighting days are (hopefully) behind him for good now, but that doesn’t mean we should forget what a terror he once was. As we have with other MMA warriors, sometimes prematurely, we now pay tribute to some of Pulver’s greatest moments in the cage.

Lewis is primarily remembered now as the jiu-jitsu aficionado who helped get Dana White and the Fertittas interested in MMA, but his own five-year MMA career came to a violent and sudden end when he met Pulver in Atlantic City. Just fifteen seconds into the fight a Pulver left found the point of Lewis’s jaw, and that was all she wrote. Pulver would go on to win the UFC’s 155-pound title via decision against Caol Uno in his next fight, while Lewis would never fight again.

Jens Pulver vs. B.J. Penn I, UFC 35, 1/11/02 Though this one didn’t end in fireworks, and while Penn probably still thinks he was screwed on the decision. Pulver reached a career highpoint when he defended his UFC title against Penn through five tough rounds. It was his most high-profile win, and one he would continue to hold over Penn’s head when they coached opposite one another on “The Ultimate Fighter” five years later.

Jens Pulver vs. Joe Jordan, Extreme Challenge 52, 8/15/03

(For the best part of the running commentary, skip to the 1:54 mark. Some leg kicks are so nasty that all you can really say is, ‘Oh, shit! Daaaamn!’)

After leaving the UFC following his win over Penn, Pulver bounced around the MMA circuit and eventually wound up back in the Midwest, fighting in front of raucous crowd in Rock Island, Illinois against Pikeville, Kentucky’s Joe Jordan. Jordan, who has fought almost every lightweight in the world at some point, made the mistake of basically inviting Pulver to hit him with his best shot midway through the second round. Then came that brutal straight left again, and yet another opponent was plunged into a peaceful slumber.

Jens Pulver vs. Kenji Arai, Pride Bushido 10, 4/2/06

What do you get when you combine Pride rules and a hard-hitting southpaw like Pulver? A colorful mohawk and a dude who can’t wait to soccer kick you in the face. Pulver’s stint in Japan may have been marred by earlier losses to Takanori Gomi and Hayato Sakurai, but he finished strong in a brutal battle with Arai. The pace was furious and neither man looked like he was even considering round two, though it was Pulver’s punching power that eventually decided the matter.

Jens Pulver vs. Cole Escovedo, IFL Legends, 4/29/06

In MMA, there are times when a referee has to stop a bout, and then there are times when he has to save someone’s life. Herb Dean’s intervention in this fight was an instance of the latter. Pulver had Escovedo rocked early on, and a second hard left resulted in a delayed knockdown that spelled the end for Escovedo. Pulver added one extra shot just to be sure, but thankfully Herb was there to prevent permanent brain damage.

Did we forget any of your favorite "Lil Evil" moments? Let us know in the comments section.

Cagepotato Comments

Showing 1-25 of comments

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The Hammer- March 9, 2010 at 4:03 am

Maybe if he had just retired earlier people wouldn't say this over rated crap he set the stage for guys like bj ayoki alvarez mendez maynard huerta and many others he made the little mans divisions and should be remembered for that he gave the 155 lbers and the lower the chances they have lil evil was an animal and should be forever considered the godfather of the lightweight divisions

mattyr31- March 8, 2010 at 6:24 pm

It's been a pleasure Jens.

Lorenzoe553- March 8, 2010 at 5:10 pm

@carl sagan-he just lost to one. also everyone figured he should retire but up until saturday he hadnt really said anything about him quitting.

robthom- March 8, 2010 at 4:33 pm

Why the long faces fellas. Its not as if he's gonna stop now or anything.

Carl Sagan- March 8, 2010 at 4:05 pm

I really enjoyed his sub over Cub Swanson!

Jens should keep fighting if he wants. Give him other tiny little old guys.

Lorenzoe553- March 8, 2010 at 1:43 pm

who said anything about greatest of all times. yes he did go on long after his prime, but he still put on great shows and thats what these people are saying and losing to someone like gomi or sakurai is nothing to be ashamed of by the way.

ReX13- March 8, 2010 at 12:39 pm

DazedNConfused Says:
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 15:32

"Good fighter? yes. But that's all I can give him. "

I agree on not a GOAT, but deserves props for being a trailblazer.

"I don't think I'm being disrespectful being honest. What can I say."

Fair enough.

DazedNConfused- March 8, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Oh and I thought BJ won that first fight too. Just sayin' :P

DazedNConfused- March 8, 2010 at 12:32 pm

hah. I knew my comment would sand up some vagina's. Listen, you can all have your own opinions and I do agree he was an undersized fighter who did give his all. But to consider him one of the GOAT is a laugh.

That vintage BJ fight was awesome, but I think some of his earlier loses (Gomi and Sakurai mostly) decided where his career was going. Imagine if he won those fights? then he could be alongside them with the elite lightweights.

Now lets fast forward his career to where he is now; losing his last 4 fights either via submission or TKO, plus losing his last 7 of 8. He didn't stop when he should have and he really has nothing left in his gastank.

Good fighter? yes. But that's all I can give him. I don't think I'm being disrespectful being honest. What can I say.

busted_cranium- March 8, 2010 at 12:08 pm

DazedNConfused is exactly that if he thinks Pulver was overrated. What have you done with yourself today besides dirty up another pair of sweat pants.

MMAMoneyLine- March 8, 2010 at 12:07 pm

The Cub Swanson submission was pretty impressive, considering Swanson was a hot, young prospect at the time and Jens was in the twilight of his career.

I can see why people would think of him as overrated, but holding a belt at the highest level of MMA and beating BJ Penn deserves respect. If he was able to pull out that first fight against Faber, he would have cemented himself as one of the greatest of all time.

ReX13- March 8, 2010 at 11:52 am

On the other hand, it could be argued that Pulver stayed relevant, competitive, and popular when many of his contemporaries had retired or ridden into the sunset of MMA competition. Plus the fact that he was undersized while competing in the UFC? Here's hoping Pulver's future endeavors are successful.

Lorenzoe553- March 8, 2010 at 11:39 am

he wasnt the best but he was always exciting. call him over rated if you want, i say you dont know shit, our own opinion i guess.